News
“I won’t be derailed” — Mustapha Hamid responds to attacks on his NPP Vice Chair bid
Former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority, Mustapha Abdul Hamid, has broken his silence on what he describes as persistent attacks against him following his decision to contest for the position of National Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party.
In a lengthy statement shared on his social media platforms, Dr. Hamid indicated that since declaring his intention to contest the position, he has faced daily criticism, anonymous write ups and public attacks from individuals he believes are linked to rival candidates.
According to him, although friends, supporters and sympathisers have urged him to respond directly to the attacks, he has deliberately chosen not to engage his critics.
“The fact that I am the only person to whom attacks are directed among a crowded field of contestants shows that there is a clear recognition that I am the man to beat,” he wrote.
He explained that the attacks rather strengthen his resolve and motivate him to continue his campaign.
Dr. Hamid also reflected on his long political history within the NPP, stating that he has sacrificed greatly for the party since 1992 during the era of the former Provisional National Defence Council military government led by former President Jerry John Rawlings.
He recounted how he frequently changed his sleeping location in Tamale for fear of attacks due to his political activities at the age of 20.
The former NPA boss further stated that he played a key role in the party’s political activities in northern Ghana together with Iddrisu Musah Superior at a time when social media did not exist.
He argued that his commitment to the NPP was deeply personal because his father was in exile during the Rawlings administration.
Dr. Hamid addressed accusations from some individuals who claim they have personal grievances against him.
According to him, some critics are unhappy because he did not favour party loyalists unfairly during his tenure in office.
He maintained that he refused to promote people or tolerate absenteeism at work simply because they belonged to the ruling party.
“Somebody says, ‘you are too principled; we do not like principled people in politics,’” he stated.
He further stressed that leadership comes from God and not from human plotting, quoting verses from the Qur’an and Bible to support his argument.
Dr. Hamid highlighted what he described as his significant contributions to the NPP during the 2024 general election campaign across several constituencies and regions.
According to him, his interventions at the constituency, regional and national levels helped sustain the party’s operations during the election period.
He added that evidence of his contributions exists in documents, videos and audio recordings which would be presented to delegates during his campaign.
The former NPA Chief Executive ended his statement with biblical quotations shared with him by lawyer and politician Atta Akyea, which he noted had encouraged him amid the attacks.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The family of Ambassador James Victor Gbeho, a distinguished statesman and diplomat, has paid a courtesy call on President John Dramani Mahama. They officially informed him of his passing.
The delegation, representing the Gbeho family, noted that it was culturally and diplomatically important to formally notify the President of the loss before making a public announcement of his death.
Ambassador Gbeho was a towering figure in Ghanaian and international politics. He served in many diplomatic missions, including New York. He was Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, a Member of Parliament for the Anlo constituency, and President (formerly Executive Secretary) of the ECOWAS Commission.
He was widely respected for his role in regional integration and his contributions to global diplomacy at the United Nations.
President Mahama expressed his condolences and shared reflections on Ambassador Gbeho’s contributions to the country, West Africa and the world.
Funeral details will be announced later.
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has revoked all firearm permits in Ghana with immediate effect and announced a new registration process for all gun owners.
The minister made the announcement on Tuesday, June 23, at the information service department saying all individuals who currently hold licences to own firearms or sidearms must undergo a fresh registration process.
“From this afternoon, all permits that have been granted to any individual that you are holding a sidearm or firearm is hereby revoked,” Mr Muntaka said.
He explained that the government had identified gaps in the country’s firearm registration system and needed to introduce stricter measures to improve public safety.
“We are opening the window where everyone will have to come forward again to register or re-register the gun because we’ve changed the procedure,” he stated.
According to him, the government decided not to wait until the end of the year to make the changes because lives could still be saved within the next six months.
The Interior Minister said one of the new requirements would be mandatory mental health screening for applicants seeking firearm licences.
“We’ve seen that people with mental health have already gone through and have the sidearm. Now we are introducing mental health. Before we give you the sidearm, we have to be sure that you have the mental stability to hold the firearms,” he said.
Mr Muntaka also announced that applicants would be required to undergo drug tests before being granted licences.
“We’ve also realised that people who are on drugs are also holding their arms and they are legitimate because it’s been registered. Now you have to go through drug tests to be sure that you are not on drugs before you can hold sidearms,” he added.
The minister said the new measures form part of efforts by the government to tighten firearm control and prevent legally registered weapons from falling into the wrong hands.
He urged all firearm owners to cooperate with the new registration process once details of the exercise are announced.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News1 week agoNFS, AACMA raise GH¢300K for new fire tender
- News4 days ago
FSD Africa, others launch Green Project Preparation Facility to unlock investment in climate infrastructure in Ghana
- News1 week ago
CSA urges Universities to strengthen cybersecurity following university of Nottingham cyber-attack
